IBEW · Electrical Workers Minority Caucus

Greater St. Louis ChapterBuilding Leaders.
Lifting Communities.

★ Forever Lifting Up ★

We unite IBEW members from across the St. Louis region to develop leaders, mentor the next generation, and serve our neighbors, carrying forward a 50-year movement for fairness and inclusion.

1974
EWMC Founded
1891
Birthplace of the IBEW
6
St. Louis Locals United
44
Chapters Nationwide
Our Story

A Movement Born of Courage

The Electrical Workers Minority Caucus has spent half a century making the IBEW stronger by making it more inclusive, and St. Louis has been part of that story from the very beginning.

The EWMC · Since 1974

The Conscience of the IBEW

The EWMC was born in 1974 at the IBEW's 30th International Convention in Kansas City, Missouri. When members of color prepared to picket the convention over the lack of minority representation in union leadership, International leaders chose to listen rather than look away. That single conversation sparked a movement.

From that meeting grew an organization devoted to fairness, inclusion, and opportunity for every worker in the electrical industry. Today the EWMC spans 44 chapters across the United States and Canada, still guided by a simple promise.

"The EWMC is the conscience of the IBEW."Robbie Sparks, President Emeritus & first EWMC President
Greater St. Louis EWMC members at the Greenwood Cemetery Day of Service
EWMC Day of Service at historic Greenwood Cemetery
The Greater St. Louis Chapter

Rooted Where It All Began

St. Louis holds a special place in this history. It is the birthplace of the IBEW, founded here in 1891 and home to Local 1. The Greater St. Louis Chapter carries that legacy forward, uniting members from IBEW Locals 1, 2, 4, 309, 1439, and 1455 under one banner.

Our own officers come from different local unions across the region. That's solidarity in action. Together we develop leaders, mentor members so hard-won knowledge is never lost, and show up for our community day after day.

Greater St. Louis EWMC members lifting a fallen tree together during storm cleanup
Members volunteering to clean up a community ravaged by a tornado
Sylvester Taylor II with his grandson
Co-Founders · Chartered 2003
Sylvester Taylor II with his grandson
Co-founder Leon Arties with Tony Scarpace
Co-founder Leon Arties (right) with Tony Scarpace
The Coat That Started It All

One Act of Compassion, Two Decades of Giving

The Greater St. Louis Chapter of the EWMC was co-founded by Sylvester Taylor II and Leon Arties, who chartered it as a Missouri nonprofit in 2003, with a simple charge: to "inform, educate, and support the community and members on the basis of the electrical trade."

It grew from a single act of compassion. In 2002, while volunteering at a local children's home, Sylvester, an IBEW journeyman wireman since 1991, learned the boy he was mentoring had gone two winters without a coat.

"Where's your coat?" "I don't have one." The exchange that started it all

That winter he set out to give all 34 children at the home a new coat. With the EWMC, and his wife Ernestine at his side, he raised enough for 22 and bought the last 12 himself. The Coats for Kids drive has been an annual tradition ever since, growing to more than 15,000 coats given to children across the region.

2002First coat drive
2003Chapter chartered
15,000+Coats donated

Sylvester also founded the chapter's Community Day of Service, serving lunch at the veterans home and tending Greenwood Cemetery, resting place of Harriet Robinson Scott and the Buffalo Soldiers.

What We Stand For

Our Mission

Everything we do flows from one belief: when everyone is included, the whole brotherhood grows stronger.

Leadership

Training informed leaders and activists within the IBEW and our communities.

Mentorship

Passing knowledge from one generation to the next so it's never lost.

Service

Coat drives, food distribution, school supplies, and cemetery restoration.

Inclusion

Greater representation and equal opportunity for every member.

Chapter Officers

Our Leadership

Our officers come from different IBEW local unions across the St. Louis area, proof that solidarity crosses every local line.

Shondra Adams tending the grave of Harriet Scott
Shondra Adams, at Harriet Scott's grave
IBEW LOCAL 1

Shondra Adams

Chapter President
Local 1 Journeyman Wireman
Jon Hendrix, far left
Jon Hendrix, far left
IBEW LOCAL 1

Jon Hendrix

Vice President
Local 1 Journeyman Wireman
Nicholas Muniz
IBEW LOCAL 1455

Nicholas Muniz

Recording Secretary
Recording Secretary of IBEW Local 1455
Julian Johnson
IBEW LOCAL 1

Julian Johnson

Treasurer
Local 1 Inside Apprentice
Mike Newton, right
Mike Newton, right
IBEW LOCAL 1

Mike Newton

Member at Large
Local 1 Representative
Shannon Lewis, right, with State Representative Marla Smith
Shannon Lewis (right) with State Rep. Marla Smith, MO 74th District
IBEW LOCAL 1

Shannon Lewis

Member at Large
Local 1 Journeyman Wireman
Ray Rose at the Coats for Kids drive
Ray Rose (right) at the Coats for Kids drive
IBEW LOCAL 1439

Ray Rose

Member at Large
Treasurer of IBEW Local 1439

There's a Place for You

Open to all IBEW members who share our mission. Add your name to the brotherhood.

Become a Member
In Our Community

Showing Up, Every Season

From the job site to the neighborhood, the Greater St. Louis EWMC shows up. Our members organize Coats for Kids drives, food distributions, back-to-school supply giveaways, and community resource fairs; we answer the call for disaster relief; and we restore and honor historic St. Louis cemeteries, including the resting place of Harriet Scott, wife of Dred Scott.

Upcoming Event

Join Us & Give Back

Charity Fundraiser

Coats for Kids:
Charity Bingo Night

Saturday, August 15th, 2026 · Doors 5 PM
IBEW Local 1 Union Hall, St. Louis

10 themed bingo rounds, prizes, raffles, and a great night out, all to put warm coats on kids this winter. Reserve a table or grab a seat.

View Details & Register →
Get Involved

There's a Place for You

Membership is open to all IBEW members who share our mission of fairness, service, and opportunity. Whether you wire downtown high-rises or pull cable in the suburbs, you belong here.

Members from across the St. Louis region:

Local 1Local 2Local 4Local 309Local 1439Local 1455
To Join the National EWMC →